BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
iCAUR, the new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under the Chery Group, has confirmed its official entry into the South African market.
The first products and retail launch are planned for the first quarter of 2026. The announcement follows the brand’s local reveal at the 2025 Festival of Motoring, marking the arrival of a bold new player in the country’s fast-growing mobility space.
iCAUR South Africa is in the process of finalising its retail network, with the first dealerships planned for key metropolitan hubs. The brand aims to establish a footprint of 15 dealerships by the time of launch. Further product introductions and lifestyle partnerships will follow as the brand establishes itself in the local market.
Founded in 2023, iCAUR enters South Africa with an ambition: to help accelerate the shift toward smarter, greener transport while bringing something fresh and emotionally engaging to Mzansi’s roads, according to iCAUR.
“As the world embraces a new era of clean mobility, South African motorists deserve access to electrified vehicles that are as expressive as they are intelligent,” states Shannon Gahagan, Brand and Marketing Manager at iCAUR South Africa.
Backed by the Chery Group, iCAUR is already making waves internationally for its distinctive design philosophy and intelligent vehicle platforms. South Africa represents a key milestone in the brand’s global expansion and its first step on the African continent.
The iCAUR brand is underpinned by four global pillars, says the manufacturer:
“South Africa is a country with a rich outdoor lifestyle, vibrant urban culture and an increasingly energy-conscious mindset,” says Shannon, “These are the communities iCAUR is built for.”
Further details on the iCAUR vehicle line-up destined for South Africa will be announced closer to the local launch.
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
Retail new vehicle sales continue to surge in South Africa despite global and regional conflicts, local floods and droughts.
South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout performance in March 2026, extending its domestic growth trajectory to the strongest level seen in nearly two decades.
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
Unknown
While rising fuel prices often trigger spikes in interest around electric vehicles, Volvo Car South Africa believes the real reasons South Africans are starting to consider EVs go far beyond the petrol pump.
MG has opened a new engineering centre in Frankfurt as part of its “in Europe, for Europe” approach. The facility will focus on developing vehicles suited to European conditions, including climate, roads and driving habits. It will work alongside existing teams in the United Kingdom (UK) and London design hub.
Europe’s used electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a notable surge as the Iran conflict drives up global oil prices and pushes petrol costs sharply higher across the continent.